A Lifeguard was taken to hospital for checks after a fruitless sea search saw him collapse on a Teesside beach.

RNLI lifeboats from Redcar were launched yesterday afternoon after reports that a swimmer had gone missing in the sea at Saltburn.

The alarm was raised at about 3.30pm by a council beach lifeguard after he lost sight of the swimmer, believed to be a teenage girl from the London area, close to Saltburn Pier.

The D class lifeboat from Redcar was launched, plus the larger Atlantic75 lifeboat. The Cleveland Police helicopter was also dispatched.

But soon after the lifeboats arrived, it was discovered that the missing girl had come ashore, safe and well - unaware that a search for her was being carried out.

A beach lifeguard who had entered the sea to search for the girl was treated by paramedics for the effects of immersion in the cold sea and taken to hospital for checks.

A Redcar and Cleveland Council spokeswoman confirmed the lifeguard and a colleague entered the sea on boards but, on returning to shore, he collapsed on Saltburn beach and was treated for mild hypothermia.

She said: “He was taken to James Cook Hospital as a precaution but was released fit and well last night. We hope he will be back on duty this weekend.”